Ashok Chakra Award is India’s highest peacetime military decoration award, it is the peacetime equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra. The decoration may be awarded either to military or civilian personnel. Havildar Bachittar Singh and Naik Narbahadur Thapa were the first recipients of the Ashoka Chakra. Subsequent awards of the Ashoka Chakra are recognised by a bar to the medal ribbon. A recipient can be awarded the Kirti Chakra or Shaurya Chakra in addition to seprate acts of gallantry. Ashoka Chakra awarded for most conspicuous bravery or some act of daring or pre- eminent act of valour or self sacrifice otherwise than in the face of the enemy.
Ashoka Chakra Award was originally established on 4 January 1952 as the Ashoka Chakra, Class 1, as the first step of a three class sequence of non combatant bravery decorations. In 1967, these decorations were removed from the class based system and renamed as the Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra. This is an important point in understanding the Independent Indian view of decorations. It would also lead to changes in the Padma Vibhishan, the distinguished service medal series, the life saving medal series, and the defence security corps medal series. From 1 February 1990 the central government instituted a monthly stipend for Ashoka Chakra recipients of 1400. Jammu and Kashmir awarded a cash award of 1500 for recipients of this award.
Ashoka Chakra Award overview:- Circular gold gilt , 1-3/8 inches in diameter. In the centre, the Chakra of Ashoka is surrounded by a lotus wreath with an ornate edge. Suspended by a Straight bar suspender. The medal is named on the edge. Blank in the centre, with Ashoka Chakra Award in hindi along the upper edge on the medal and the same name in English along the lower rim. The either side is a lotus design. The centre is blank, perhaps with the intent that details of the award be engraved their.
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